New Atlanticist

Sharp insights and bold ideas from across the Council

From climate change to the China challenge and the contest between democracy and dictatorship, the New Atlanticist is where top experts and policymakers at the Atlantic Council and beyond offer exclusive insight on the most pressing global challenges—and the US role in addressing them alongside allies and partners.

The Council’s flagship section features big ideas, groundbreaking research, lightning-fast expert reactions, in-depth analyses, and thought-provoking commentary to shape public policy.

Berlin takes over the EU presidency: Lower your expectations

New Atlanticist Sep 4, 2025

Dispatches from Damascus: The state of Syria’s postwar transition nine months after Assad’s fall

On a recent trip to the Syrian capital, Atlantic Council experts took note of how far the country has come since the Assad regime’s fall and what still needs to happen to secure peace and prosperity.

New Atlanticist Aug 29, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

August saw a flurry of diplomatic activity to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As September nears, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what to expect next.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

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Dive deep into developing stories, guided by continually updated expert analysis that leaves you better informed about the most pressing global issues behind the headlines.

Markup

Our experts decipher and annotate major speeches and policy documents to break down big ideas and lay them out in plain language.

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2020

Berlin takes over the EU presidency: Lower your expectations

By Jörn Fleck

If Germany achieves a breakthrough on even one of the big-ticket items of its presidency, it is despite the chancellor and its political elites’ legacy of European policy over the last decade. Those betting wisely would do best to lower expectations for a Germany that has yet to have a moment of truth with itself about its role in Europe and the world.

Coronavirus European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2020

Do deficits matter? Japan shows they do.

By Hung Tran

Japan is often a misleading example for those who downplay the problems of debt. Tokyo has run budget deficits throughout the past three decades, creating one of the world’s highest public debt to GDP ratios, without any adverse effect on inflation and interest rates. But this comes at the cost of high savings by the household and corporate sectors, which has hampered Japanese growth.

Coronavirus Fiscal and Structural Reform

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2020

European strategic autonomy and its future trade policy

By Elmar Hellendoorn

Eventual EU efforts to redirect supply chains can affect many business sectors, even those unrelated to traditional security affairs. The geographical location of EU zones of influence may dictate where future supply chains to Europe will run. “Strategic autonomy” is now as important economically as it is politically or militarily.

China European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

What Poland wants when it comes to US troops

By Teri Schultz

It's not a place the Polish government wants to be: caught between its crucial transatlantic ally the United States and its neighbor, Europe's most powerful country, Germany.

Defense Policy Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

As the Sino-Indian rivalry heats up, watch Bangladesh carefully

By Ali Riaz

Undoubtedly rivalry between India and China will intensify in South Asia in coming months and years ahead. With its position between the two rivals, Bangladesh will be a primary arena to watch the future competition.

Bangladesh China

Global Energy Forum

Jul 2, 2020

Evaluating House Democrats’ new climate change report

By Global Energy Center

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic downturn, and a renewed movement for racial justice, the report sets out a vision to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 with recommendations on issues from infrastructure to incentivizing new technologies and creating jobs in the clean energy sector. The report also addresses pollution and environmental justice, the nexus between climate and public health, and conservation.

Climate Change & Climate Action United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

Hezbollah takes control of Lebanon’s judiciary in assault on rule of law

By Michael D. Barbero

Lebanon is a nation in crisis. Just as Hezbollah is the main cause of the current economic crisis, Hezbollah, through its FPM allies, is also the impetus for the assault on the rule of law. The Hezbollahization of Lebanon must be reversed. Reforming one broken sector in Lebanon without restoring the rule of law—the most foundational pillar of Lebanese society—will play into Hezbollah’s hands, continue the misery of the Lebanese people, and ensure Lebanon’s inevitable failure.

Civil Society Corruption

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2020

Protocol expert Capricia Marshall offers advice on the “power of diplomacy”

By Larry Luxner

"Protocol creates a detailed road map, large or small, for our global leaders," Marshall said. "It’s those micro-moves that create a major impact on every engagement.”

Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2020

India’s China app ban heightens need for multilateral discussion on digital privacy and security

By Justin Sherman

Even with other the political and economic factors at play, the decision may be a small sign of some shared ground between India and the United States when it comes to data policy.

China Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2020

Start of USMCA brings hope amid COVID-19 economic crisis

By David A. Wemer

“Together, Canada, Mexico and the United States make North America an energy, manufacturing, and innovation powerhouse," Damon Wilson says. "The USMCA helps unlock this potential, offering greater prosperity for these nations' citizens and positioning democracies in North America to better shape global standards and compete with China."

Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance

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